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Bayerischer "Rock mi"-Flashmob in den Riemer Arcaden - Deutschland

by Diatonic News

voXXclub have attracted in Munich's Riem Arcades with an original Flashmob. The good looking “ Buam” in traditional costumes with pretty young girls in “Dirndl” have immediately transformed the Riem Arcades with good humor and the croweds simply LOVED it and we too…..

Beginning with coordinated celebrations from around the globe, the last two years have seen a 24 hour live streaming. While initial plans thought of a live streaming this year, the CIA has decided instead to collect footage from around the world of CIA member activities, to be made available to member associations and interested accordionists for use to publicize the accordion with media, fellow musical associations, the International Music Council as well as for other opportunities to promote the accordion in the field of music as appropriate.

The CIA is blessed to be supported by more than 30 nations spanning all corners of the world, and with its competition winners alone, features some of the world's most outstanding accordionists performing a diverse array of musical styles, while representing many countries and musical cultures. Combined with World Accordion Orchestra, the composers portfolio of new works for accordion and representation at the International Music Council, the CIA is truly the epitome of 'World Accordion' and so by compiling all these exciting activities into one source, the CIA hopes to celebrate World Accordion Day itself, along with the rest of the world!

We invite those celebrating World Accordion Day to submit video and pictures from their activities to the CIA, so that as we correlate the various activities we have a wonderful cross section of the many faces of accordion found around the world.

During World Accordion Day, members of the CIA Executive will be in Finland at the CIA headquarters, working on plans for publicising this years events, as well as exploring possibilities for a live event next year, which will be discussed by the CIA Delegates at the upcoming General Assembly in Salzburg, Austria later in the year.

To submit your information, please send your videos, pictures, or links to online performances to the CIA General Secretary Kimmo Mattila at e-mail, with World Accordion Day in the subject box: secretariat_cia@harmonikkaliitto.net

The finalists in the zydeco category were: Randall Jackson of Dallas, Je'an-Trel Jolivette of Marvel, and DeJe'an Jolivette of Marvel.

The finalists in polka were: Rebecca Huck of Harker Heights, Chris Trojacek of Ennis, and Garrett Neubauer of Altair.

The finalists in the conjunto category: Aaron Salinas of San Antonio, Luis Gonzales of Grand Prairie, and Mariano Resendez of La Joya.

The contest this year attracted 49 contestants, the largest number in its history. Seventy-five percent of the contestants were conjunto accordion players. Because of the larger number of conjunto contestants, there were three Honorable Mentions in that category: Rito Peña of San Antonio, Alan Guerra of Mission, and Nizhoni Begay of San Antonio.

- See more at: http://www.texasfolklife.org/post/big-squeeze-champs—-aaron-garrett-randall#sthash.V24UFPzk.dpuf

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center was founded by a group of San Antonio artists who were determined to play a critical role in shaping the artistic and cultural experiences of San Antonio’s residents and visitors alike. Nearly thirty-four years ago this band of artists formed a pro-active group called the Performance Artists’ Nucleus (PAN). They represented different organizations that were seeking municipal funds to support their work and to preserve and promote the rich traditions of Latino culture.

Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience 2014 Grammy Award -USA

Terrance Simien (picture left) and the Zydeco Experience won Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 2014 56th Grammy Awards which took place in Los Angeles, CA. on April 6th, 2014. Other nominees in the category were:- The Life & Times Of...The Hot 8 Brass Band by Hot 8 Brass Band- Hula Ku'i by Kahulanui- Le Fou by Zachary Richard- Apache Blessing & Crown Dance Songs by Joe Tohonnie Jr.

The Grammy Awards, for more than 50 years, are the only peer-presented award in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.

On June 4, 2013 Simien independently released his 9th recording, Grammy winning ‘Dockside Sessions” featuring four traditional zydeco songs (sung in French), a contemporary French tune, three Bob Dylan covers, and a song each originally by the Grateful Dead and Toots & the Maytals.

Terrance Siimiien, 8th generation Louisiana Creole has become one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music today. He and his band mates have performed over 7,000 concerts, toured millions of miles to over 45 countries during their eventful career.

A more detailed article about Terrance Simien check with the 1st May Accordion USA News Edition.

The festival has a ‘jamming’ format, with a time schedule board for performers or groups on the main stage. A formal program and concert happens on Sunday May 25th, the last day of the festival. Following the concert, the jamming format resumes for the remainder of the day.

A feature of the festival is that no bands are hired, and the music comes from the people attending the event.

For further information email: Rpivovar@verizon.net

Ærø Harmonikafestival 23.-25. maj 2014 - Denmark

by Diatonic News

ACCORDION FESTIVAL IN MARSTAL 2014 23 - 25 May 21st accordion festival with popular music over the entire weekend in Marstal.

By tradition a big pole tent is placed on the berth area of Marstal Yacht Club, and two more stages are set inside the Yacht Club and in the rowing club facing the harbour.

Accordionists from Ærø, "the mainland", i.e. from outside the island, and from Sweden and Norway - and possibly Germany - will be playing from the three stages from Friday afternoon till Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday morning, the town of Marstal will be transformed to a multi arena where groups will be playing from every nook and every street corner.

From the stages, all genres of music will sound. "Gammeldans" - the Swedish and Norwegian type of folk dancing -, where cheerful dancers will fill the dance floor. Top-of-the-pops tunes where everybody can dance and sing along. Latin rhythms. Swing. Jazz. Sweet Swedish ballads by Bellman and Taube. Not forgetting the popular 30 minutes with Marstal Småborgerlige Sangforening, the merry Marstal mariners association, who sing shanties and maritime songs on Saturday evening - not to be missed!

The full programme will be available in early May, but we are able to disclose at this early stage our two dear guests from Norway: Odd Arne Halaas, singer and accordionist, and Reidar Dahle, guitarist, who will also appear at an accordion concert in Marstal Church on Thursday evening 22 May at 7.30pm.

Button Accordion & Bajo Sexto Workshops - San Antonio/USA

Master Button Accordion and Bajo Sexto maestros, and Grammy Award-winning recording artists, Joel Guzmán and Max Baca, will conduct this concurrent two-hour workshop. Basic accordion and bajo sexto playing techniques and chords/scales will be explored, along with the accompaniment of different conjunto rhythms. The two separate workshops will come together at the end for an impromptu performance and conjunto jam.

ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL TANGO FESTIVAL (MAY 24-26 2014) - UK

BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE + ADVANCED LEVEL WORKSHOPSBANDONEON BOOTCAMP STRUCTUREThe bootcamp contains four modules spread over two days. All modules will be taught in the school recital room which has excellent acoustics.Day one focuses on core technique and practise methods. There will also be time on day one for masterclasses on solo repertoire for any participants who would like the opportunity to perform and receive feedback. Day two will focus more on aspects of tango music, and we will work on ensemble pieces. There will be an opportunity to perform the pieces we work on in the evening milonga for anyone who wishes to participate.

The first day of the workshop is suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced, and is the foundation for all of the advanced techniques that are introduced on day two. The second day is more suitable for players with a medium level and above - already able to play some pieces in a range of keys. All participants will need to bring their own instrument.

The rhythmic elements of the tango will be presented and integrated into the core technique. We will also look at the techniques of transcription: creating a truly authentic sound. And we will look at simple improvisation techniques.

Masterclass with Peter Soave in May - Chatonnay/France

by Diatonic News

From May 28-29th 2014, bandonionist and accordionist Peter Soave will be available for Private Lessons and Lectures at the Masterclass in Chatonnay, France

Peter Soave is renowned worldwide as an accordion and bandoneon virtuoso through his numerous international appearances, both solo and with orchestras. He also has an outstanding record in international competitions, winning the Grand Prix in Neu Isenberg, West Germany, the International Competition in Klingenthal, East Germany, the CIACoupe Mondiale in Folkstone, UK, and the CMA Trophee Mondiale in Arrezano, Italy.

For further information email: peter@petersoave.com

13th Zydeco Gator by the Bay Festival - USA

by Diatonic News

Read more about the 4 days event from the 8-11th of May and the 85 artists performing throughout the day on http://www.gatorbythebay.com/index.html

Video: Au Bonheur de Nacre March 2014, Alain Pennec - France

The excellent monthly TV program 'Au Bonheur de Nacre' with presenter Pascal Savard featured in March 2014 traditional diatonic player Alain Pennec. Enjoy.

"Au Bonheur de Nacre" is recorded live on stage at the cabaret Le Mans in Patis, with the passionate presenter Pascal Savard revealing the many musical talents of our French regions on the last Friday of each month.

'Au Bonheur de Nacre' by LM TV Sarthe has many videos for accordion online at: www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x18x7r_lmtvsarthe-wizdeo_bonheur-de-nacre/

Following on from an incredibly successful tenth anniversary tour the top traditional music duo on the scene continue their journey into the exciting nether-regions of traditional folk music.

Described by The Guardian as ‘the finest instrumental duo on the traditional scene’ and twice winners of the BBC Radio 2 folk award for Best Duo, Spiers & Boden have made the genre of spontaneous, punky English folk very much their own stomping ground. Loud, proud, and with just a few acoustic instruments, they create a multitude of textures upon which they present traditional stories and dance music which have taken them on to the main stages of major festivals.

Theo and the Zydeco Patrol in May - USA

Theo and the Zydeco Patrol Combines the Blues with Southwest Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco

Theo and the Zydeco Patrol is not just another blues band. Their secret spice to the Blues is the Louisiana hot sauce of traditional Cajun and zydeco music.

With a sound straight from the backwoods zydeco dance clubs, Cajun "fais do do" dances, backyard crawfish boil parties and bayou festivals, the Theo and the Zydeco Patrol brings the best of Southwest Louisiana festival music to Southern California. Featuring the diatonic "Cajun-style" button accordion, keyboard accordion, washboard and vocals in the original Cajun French of the Southwest Louisiana, Theo and the Zydeco Patrol cooks up a fiery mix of the Cajun and Zydeco dance music that is sweeping the countryDates and Places

Saturday May 3 – 2PM to 6PM Solvang Crawfish Boil Solvang Ca.

Sunday May 18 – 6PM to 10PM Coyote Bar and Grill (Carlsbad)

Tuesday May 20 – 7PM to 10PM Tio Leo`s Napa and Morena

Friday May 23 – 7PM to 11PM Iva Lees in San Clemente

Sunday May 25 – 11AM to 5PM LSU Alumni Crawfish Boil-Charger Field

Monday May 26 – 11AM to 4PM Barefoot Bar

For exact details pls visit:http://www.zydecopatrol.com/dates.asp

Sväng tour dates in May - (Austria, Germany) Finland

by Diatonic News

The group have performed in April at Babel Med Music in Marseille, France. and were the first Finnish artist ever to play at the event. Babel Med Music is the largest and most important world music festival in France.

Sväng, which has been described as ”the harmonica equivalent of the Kronos Quartet” by Songlines Magazine, will play an album release show in Helsinki in May and after that play shows in Denmark, followed by an album release tour in Germany and Austria.

Whiskey River Band May schedule - UK

by Diatonic News

Whiskey River (full band) is a Blues Rocking, Louisiana USA-style Zyde-cajun band performing Red-Hot Swamp Music and Blues from the Bayous... yet based on the Welsh Border, UK! Just add a taste of Good Rocking Country, some retro-style, Gretsch-fuelled Rock'n'Roll "et voila; c'est si bon!".

The band is led by Aidan Sheehan, his Lafayette "Clarence Junior Martin" Cajun accordion and "Seydel" Blues harmonicas plus Martin Blake on a beautiful white "Gretsch" and a "Swamptone Telecaster B-bender" guitar. Add whiskey-soaked vocal harmonies, heartfelt lyrics delivered in both English and Cajun-French and you're right there, back on the Bayou boys...

Members of this band have featured in other Roots Rocking outfits (The Revillos, X-Ray Spex, Bon Ton Roulez, Joe Le Taxi, The Bourbon Boys, Baton Rouge, Juice, Ricky Cool & The In Crowd, Midland Aces, The Hoola Boola Boys, The Root Doctors, The Pork Dukes, Blake's Three, The Swamp Devils, Cold River Lady, The Grass Snakes and Half Cut Grass) so they certainly know how to deliver a potent "Hot Musical Gumbo!"

Tango Carbon on concert - France

by Diatonic News

It is in the spirit of experimentation that Tango CarbÓn formed in 2012. Passionate not only about Tango but also music, Federico Sanz –violin- Louise Jallu –bandoneon- Leandro Lacapère –piano- and Blanche Stromboni –double bass- merge their own individual sounds into a new unique and authentic act. Carbón repertoire covers different styles and periods of the history of tango, starting with traditional tango, they follow its evolution through the vanguard of Piazzolla’s Nuevo Tango and finish with their own compositions which are the result of personal growth and inspirations by Juan José Mosalini, César Stroscio and Bernard Cavanna.

World Accordion Day / Dragspelets Dag 2014 - Sweden

Participate and celebrate the "Drag Game Day" and visit Karlsson Musik House - open house! You get to experience the artists Anita Agnas (voted the Year accordionist 2013 in Sweden) and Søren Brix from Denmark (the - let's say next dorr neighbor's foremost accordionists)! Available will be: coffee & cakes

More information www.karlssonsmusik.se under the "Contact & map" or write to: info@karlssonsmusik.se

New CD ‘Tango Dreams’ by CT Tango Ensemble, Cape Town – South Africa

Tango Dreams’ is a new CD by the CT Tango Ensemble, from Cape Town, South Africa. The 17 tracks are a balance between Piazzolla, older traditional Tangos, Tango-Valse, a Milonga, original compositions, and some clearly Jazz influenced compositions.

The CT Tango Ensemble, formed in 1996, is the only Tango Orchestra on the African continent. It was formed by the Bulgarian-born accordionist Stanislav Angelov, who settled in Cape Town in 1992. The other members are Albert Combrink (piano), Petrus de Beer (violin), and Charles Lazar (double bass). They have performed all over South Africa and in 2011 they toured Germany.

New CD Karja-La by Sväng Harmonica Quartet - Finland

by Diatonic News

Sväng Harmonica Quartet returns on their fifth album, Karja-La, which will be released by German label Galileo Music Communication. According to the group, the new album is more darker and personal in tone, yet it still maintains the rhythmical basis on which the group has built their sound on.